It was a cold, wet weekend in Belgium but the sun did shine for McKenzie and his Smurfs, as well as Zahiroleslam and his Canaries as both teams picked up three points in Game Day 27.
Charleroi 0 – 1 Genk
It turned out to be a very tough game for the Smurfs when they travelled south of the linguistic border in Belgium and faced a stubborn Charleroi side that played much better than a side threatened with relegation.
Mark McKenzie was shoring up the Genk defense and went the distance for the visitors. In fact the American and his central defensive partner Carlos Cuesta were lauded after the game for their impressive displays on the night.
It took Genk until the middle of the second half before they were finally able to get past Herve Koffi in the Zebra’s goal.
It could be called a clever bit of coaching as Yira Sor was brought on to replace Luca Oyen in the 70th minute and a minute later with his first touch, the Nigerian was celebrating his sixth goal of the season. Most importantly, the goal gave them the much needed three points as they fight to hold onto a top-six place for the quickly approaching playoffs. The win puts them into fifth place as they jumped over Cercle and Gent.
With just three games left in the regular season, McKenzie and company will have their hands full when they host third place Club Brugee in a Sunday matinee in Limburg.
Sint-Truiden 1 – 0 Westerlo
It was a battle of the Yanks again in Belgium and all three of the Americans started the game with Kahveh Zahiroleslam starting up front for the Canaries, while Bryan Reynolds played at the right back position and Griffin Yow right in front of him on the right wing for the visitors. Both went the distance while Zahiroleslam was subbed off in the 71st minute.
It was another tough game for both sides as they fought valiantly with the hosts barely dominating possession with 55%, as well as getting eight shots on goal compared to their visitors’ four. But it was a solitary goal that separated the teams.
The fireworks however started off before then – literally. Over-zealous STVV fans got carried away with their pyrotechnics display and inadvertently set a banner ablaze. Fortunately the local fire department was in attendance and sorted it out quickly, allowing the game to resume.
And when the game clock struck 37 minutes, the ball struck the back of Westerlo’s net thanks to Ryutaro Ito. When the hosts broke free, the ball was sent to the Osaka-born attacker who found himself in the box, saw Sinan Bolat hesitate and then coolly chipped the big Turkish keeper.
It was a big weekend for the Canaries, not only gaining the three points that gives them a mathematical chance of making it into the championship playoff but it was also the 100th anniversary of the club.
They’ll hope to continue celebrating next weekend when they travel to take on the defending champions, Royal Antwerp. In the meantime, Westerlo will host Charleroi.
Notes
Unfortunately it was business as usual for Gabriel Slonina and Eupen as they were defeated for the fifth game in a row, this time at the hands of visiting Cercle Brugge, by a score of 2-0. Just one spot from last place, they’ll head to Brussels over the weekend to face Anderlecht.
Having picked up an injury last week, Marlon Fossey missed out on Standard Liege’s trip to Brussels and loss to league leading USG in this game that ended 2-1. Les Rouches has little time to get back to winning ways because they can well find themselves in the playoff group that will determine their Pro League status. The Liegoise, who are now in 11th place, will host Gent, who are fighting for a top spot after falling to seventh place over the weekend.
